Panthers Likely Can Retain Powerful Nucleus

HOUSTON — Most NFL teams believe they are close to a championship, and none can claim that more than the Carolina Panthers after losing Super Bowl XXXVIII on the last play Sunday.

Like all teams, they'll likely have to replace a few regulars and develop some young players for depth, but Carolina should have the nucleus of the AFC Championship team back.

"I like our football team," coach John Fox said after New England's 32-29 victory Sunday at Reliant Stadium. "We have some youth, and we have a good core of players."

Defense was the strength of the Panthers, and all but three starters from the unit are under contract for next season. Linebacker Greg Favors, free safety Deon Grant and cornerback Reggie Howard are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next month.

On offense, guards Kevin Donnalley and Jeno James can become unrestricted free agents in March. Wide receiver Steve Smith, whose 39-yard touchdown catch sparked Carolina Sunday, is set to become a restricted free agent; the Panthers can match any offers they receive.

Carolina, like every other team, will have to make some calls on the salary cap.

On defense, strong safety Mike Minter ($5.44 million cap figure) and defensive end Mike Rucker ($4.774 million) could be candidates for contract restructuring. Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad has a $6.48 million cap figure in 2004, and left tackle Todd Steussie is to count $5.79 million.

Carolina also has to find cap space for its desire to extend the contract of top defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. Other key role players who can bolt are kick returner Rod Smart, who can become a restricted free agent, and kicker John Kasay, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency.

The Panthers have some decisions to make, but they don't figure to make the same mistakes as after their last playoff appearance, in 1996. After making it to the NFC Championship Game, the Panthers for the next few years spent big on the wrong free agents and got little from their drafts.

That sent Carolina spiraling to a 1-15 record two years ago, but General Manager Marty Hurney and Fox have turned it around. Their personnel philosophy focuses on keeping a core of players while improving the process by which they decide on individuals.

"I keep saying this, and it sounds corny, but our organization is just so cohesive right now," Hurney said before the Super Bowl.

"And in this day and age with the decision-making process, as far a salary cap, personnel and coaching, everything has to come together.

"You have to have good communication, and that is from everybody. We have good personnel people, great assistants and a tremendous head coach. It all comes together."

The Panthers were close to the ultimate goal.

Kasay hurt their cause when his kickoff went out of bounds, giving New England field position for the winning drive.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Kasay, who has been with the Panthers since 1995, still was able to keep some perspective about Carolina's success.

"We had a lot of early accomplishments," he said. "There was an interim where it wasn't as great as you would have hoped, but it's been really neat to see what's happened within a year-and-a-half to two years. It's been a special thing."

But not completely satisfying for the Panthers, who led 22-21 Sunday with less than seven minutes, fell behind, then tied it with under two minutes left.

"I think a lot of guys really understand where we were," Muhammad said. "It's a hurtful feeling, but I think we can take something positive away from this."